Design Features and Functions
Best practice dictates that strategic suppliers are tied into the new product process from the very beginning--i.e. the concept, requirements, and design definition phase. SRM suites support this with things like requirements collaboration tools, component selection tools, and BOM grading.
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Concept and Requirements Definition Collaboration
Suppliers of strategic components and materials add value to the concept and requirement definition process by giving early feedback on what is feasible and suggesting alternatives that may add value, reduce cost, and be easier to manufacture. SRM suites facilitate this by providing collaboration tools that allow suppliers to participate as a member of the team that sets requirements and targets (performance, cost, serviceability, etc.) for new products.
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Design collaboration
Supplier-facing processes during design include component selection, design sharing and collaboration with suppliers, design for manufacturing, BOM grading, involvement of procurement and obsolescence management. Component selection tools help designers in picking parts that meet a wide variety of criteria, using knowledge from across the enterprise (e.g. sourcing department) and across the supply base. Design collaboration enables supplier involvement and collaboration in design decisions. BOM grading enables analysis and scoring of product content against cost, supply, and other business objectives and constraints. Procurement integration gives the procurement personnel early-warning visibility into new materials and components and integrates the requisition process for prototypes and long lead-time, first-run materials. Obsolescence management helps prevent or reduce designing of components that will be obsolete before the expected product end-of-life.
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Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Features and Functions
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